Hydraulically actuated fishing tool for reclaiming broken drill parts, etc., from wells



Nov. 17, 1953 S. R. KNAPP 2,659,441

HYDRAULICALLY ACTUTED FISHING TOOL FOR RECLAIMING BROKEN DRILL PARTS,ETC. FROM WELLS Flled Jan. l2. 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l O l I 153.1 Jag. 2.s llll z lllll m w I' w ML I y I l NVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

Nov. 17, 1953 l 4 d. v 6, 2m I M I An ms EL Rm WW M Fm mf O PT., PGCKmsl .FT R R DA .EP SML UL TI CR AD N UE .LK Am ws L uw M D Y H 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. l2, 1951 lNvENToR., Seru R. KNAPP BY E \ av ZATTORNEYS.

Patented Nov. 17, 1953 HYDRAULICALLY ACTUATED FISHING TOOL FOR.RECLAIMIN G BROKEN DRILL PARTS,

ETC., FROM WELLS Seth R. Knapp, Elk City, Okla. Application January 12,1951, Serial No. 205,720

12 Claims. l

This invention relates to improvements in tools for the reclamation ofbroken drill parts, etc. from oil wells and the like.

The primary object of this invention is the provision of a shing toolconstituting an improvement over the fishing tool described and claimedin my co-pending application Serial Number 124,832, now Patent Number2,652,119, filed November l, 1949, in that the improved tool can morereadily reclaim the junk, drill parts, etc. from the bottoms of wellsunder varying conditions.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an improvedrotary type hydraulic Well shing tool having a reclaiming portion, theupper end of which is cylindrical and provided with a passageway of asize to receive the reclaimed parts and debris, and having a dependingsegmental portion laterally thereof with a plurality of collapsibleretaining means at the open side projecting into the space whichdirectly faces the well bore. By this arrangement the jet stream of iuidcan lift larger particles for reclaiming than has heretofore beenpossible, and the debris to be reclaimed can be more eiiiciently andexpeditiously lifted and lished out of the well bore.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an improvedrotary type hydraulic well iishing tool constructed and arranged to mosteiiiciently reclaim with ease and minimum expense the debris and brokendrilling parts from Athe bottom of an oil well.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing detailed description.

structure or housing B, and debris retaining In the accompanyingdrawings, forming a part of this specication, and wherein similarreference characters designate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved fishing tool.

Figure 2 is a front fishing tool.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken through the improved fishingtool in various planes substantially on the line 3-3 shown in Figure 7.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the improved 'fishing tool showingoperation thereof for the preliminary clearing of debris from the bottomof an oil well.

Figure 5 is a side elevation, partly in section, -showing the improvedtool in a later stage of operation for the reclaiming of a drill part.

Figures 6, T7 and 8 `are cross sectional. views elevation of theimproved means E is provided above the baskets C and D for purposes tobe subsequently described. Means F is provided for conveying andejecting water or other iiuid through a variety of nozzles in thedevice.

The housing, shell or frame B is in the form of a tubular casing,including a cylindrical body portion I0 at the upper end thereof havinga. compartment Il wherein the debris retaining means E is disposed. Theupper end of the body conventional rotary drilling stem through whichthe wash iluid travels into the passageway I4 and thence into thehousing B.

The housing B, for the major length thereof, is cut away at one side.The term cut away is used because the tubular structure ordinarily isfull cylindrical length and then cut away to provide a lower segmentalportion 20 preferably extending the major length of the housing. Theportion 20 is segmental in cross section with a compartment 2| providedwith a so-called window opening 22 directly facing the bore wall of thewell within which the tool is used. 'I'he diameter of the body portionI0 may vary, but generally it fairly fills the well bore, as shown intion 20 opens upwardly into the compartment Il of the main body portionI0 of the casing structure.

.drawings, Aspaced from 4| -of thehousing or tube Ias shown .in Figurewelded to an auxiliary flow tube Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings, and asdescribed in my co-pending application Serial Number 124,832, aboveidentified.

The baskets C and D are substantially identical in construction. In theform shown the margins overlap the margins of the segmental portion 20upon the inner surface of the segment, at the window opening 2|, and aresecured thereto as by riveting 125. The baskets C and D have side andfront walls defining compartments 21 and 28 respectively, which areclosed at the bottoms thereof and top opening into the compartment 2| ofthe segment.

In the operation of the fishing tool of my copending application SerialNumber 124,832, now Patent Number 2,652,119, it was .found that in somecases the well bore -at its bottom was clogged with large pieces ofearth, bolders and formation caved in from the well bore or from thesides of the well. Generally this debris lat the bottom of the wellcovered the broken well drilling parts whose reclamation was desired.These bolders or other debris, it was found with the single basket typeof fishing tool shown in my above identified application, filled thebasket before the drilling equipment could be reached. lIt was thennecessary to perform extended and expensive operations in order toreclaim the broken drilling parts. To obviate this, in the presentfishing tool, I have provided a plurality of baskets or holding means,andarranged the flow p aths of the article lifting fluid streams so that.the larger bolders will be forced into the upper baskets or holdingstructures, and the tool operated so that upon reaching the level of thebroken drilling parts, the latter will then be washed by the jet actionof the fluid into the lowermost basket, and in some cases the upperbasket.

Referring to the means F for regulating the .jetaction and flow of thearticle lifting fluid for the. performance of the above, I have providedwithin the compartment of the casing structure B. along the lengthofthemain body portion I and the segmental portion 20,A a transverselycurved fluidguiding wall designated at 40 in the the inner wall surfaceB to define a crescentshapedjflow passageway 42 extending from thelextreme upper end of the body portion l0 to the lower curved end 44 ofthe tube frame B,

3. The water is forced under considerable pressure through the.passageway 42 and that is the reason for placing the convex side of thearcuate wall 40 facing the passageway 42. The longitudinal edges of thewall 40 'are preferably welded at one margin 41 thereof to the tube B,and the other end may be 50, and the latter may also be welded at to theinner wall of thewhousing B. The wall 40 is reinforced by means of staybolts or rivets 52. They may be screw threaded and welded or otherwisesecured in the relation shown throughout the drawings, tohold thespacing of the wall 40 with respect to the facing segment of the housingB.

kThe auxiliary flow tube 50 extends through the major length of thehousing B. In the body portion i2 is disposeda baiiie wall 60, spacedfrom the top wall 6| of the body I0 and defining a water receiving space62 between these walls. The tube 50 extends from this wall 60 downwardlythrough the major length of the housing B; its passageway 64 openinginto a basin 65 provided transversely across the segment just 'above theextreme bottom wall 66, so that the .4 fluid passing through thepassageway 64 may enter this basin. The basin 65 is located immediatelybelow the collapsible pocket C, as shown in Figure 3. The cross wallswhich denne the basin 65 may be welded in place and are spaced to definea compartment extending the width of the segment 20. The basin 65 has avertically disposed nozzle tube 10 extending upwardly into the segment20, facing the pocket compartment 21, for the purpose of washing out thepocket 21, during the initial action of recovery, any debris which mayhave a tendency to settle in the basket C, as will be subsequentlydescribed.

The main channel 42 for the iuid opens into the compartment between thebasin 65 and the extreme bottom wall 66. Therein is provided a nozzle8|, the passageway of which is inclined to the vertical and openings atthe bottom wall 66 so that a jet of fluid therefrom will be directed atan angle into the bottom of the well and thence below the space X forthe efficient washing of debris and drill parts upwardly in thedirection of the space X. The curvature at the lower end of the segment20, and the nozzle, properly direct the jet stream for accomplishing itsmaximum function of dislodging debris and drill parts and lifting themin a cooperative action which will be Well understood by those skilledin the art.

A second basin Ais provided upon the segment 20, of the sameconstruction as the basin 65, but located immediately below the pocketD. The basin 98 opens into the auxiliary flow tube 50, so the jet streamof uid therefrom will enter the basin 90 and exhaust therefrom through avertically disposed nozzle 93 facing upwardly in the pocket L28 of thebasket D, as shown in Figure 3. It is to be noted that the compartmentsof the basins 65 and 90 have the passageway 64 of the flow tubecommunicating therewith at one end of each of the basin compartments,and the nozzles 10 and 93 are located .centrally of the basincompartments.

It is to be noted that the walls 8|la and 8|'|b below the baskets C andD are curved inwardly in order to facilitate removal of large objectsand to strengthen the structure.

Referring to the debris retaining means E, the same consists of aplurality of arcuate spring retaining fingers ||0 detachably secured asby bolt means |l| within the lower end of the compartment They arearcuate upwardly in converging relation, with their convex sides facingupwardly. They will readily spring apart to permit the ingress ofboulders and other debris into the compartment above the ngers, whereinsuch is retained by the fingers which have a spring action and have atendency to return to normal positions.

A check valve guiding wall |20 is provided in the compartment 62,defining a chamber |22 'which slopes in convergent relation from thewall 6|v to the upper end of the auxiliary flow tube 56, for guiding aball type check valve |2| into position, for closing off the passageway64 to flow of fluid. This funnel-shaped wall structure |20 is suitablyapertured, at |23, in order that the fluid passing downwardly throughthe drill stem and entering the compartment dened by the funnel wallwill pass freely into the compartment 62, from whence it flows inunrestricted fashion into the main flow passageway 42. Of course thewall structure 40 where it faces the compartment |22 may also beaperanew tured at |24 to passageway 42.

In order to permit egress of uid from the compartment the body isapertured at |30 above the means E.

Referring to the cycle of operation of the tool, it is to be noted thatrotary action of the housing B is necessary. At its lower end thesegmental of the housing B is provided with a triangular scraping blade|40 at the leading edge of the segment. in the same plane as the wall80a. This scrapes the debris at the bottom of the well bore intoposition for receiving jet action of the fluid issuing from the, nozzle8|. It is to be noted that the diametrically opposite side of the lowerend o1 the segment does not obstruct the fluid from passing around tothe back of the blade |41).

Having lowered the tool and started its rotation, uid passes downwardlyinto the top of the permit water to enter the ilow iiowing downwardlythrough the auxiliary tube 50 and its passageway 64 and thence issuingthrough the nozzle jets 'm and 93 into the pockets C and D. Since thefluid is passing through the jets 1u and 93 into pockets 21 and 28, thejet action will prevent debris from dropping into the baskets C and D.It will be washed upwardly in the jet stream, as shown in Figure 4, pastthe spring fingers constituting the means E and into the compartment |I.The larger particles are retained therein. Ordinarily such will beboulders d and cavings from the well bore, but it may be that welldrilling parts will also be trapped in the compartment After apredetermined period of time, the check valve |2| is dropped through thedrill stem and passes directly into the compartment |22 wherein it isguided by the funnel wall to a position for closing off the passageway64 of the auxiliary flow tube 50, as shown in Figure 3. The fluid willpass through the openings |23 and |24 into the regular iiow channel 42.The valve |2| has now stopped the jet action of the fluid through thenozzles and 93 and the pockets C and D are in position to receive thejunk and drill parts therein, in the manner shown in Figure 5.

Any means may be provided to dislodge the reclaimed debris and partsfrom above the ngers H0. These fingers are readily detachable and mayalso be sprung apart to enable such dislodgement.

It is within the tion to provide more than two of the collapsible thatduring the initial action the jet iiow of the fluid through the nozzles10 and 93 will increase the lifting iiow of the iiuid for the lifting ofthe larger particles through the space X and upwardly past the retainingiingers ||0.

Various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be madeto the form of inscope of the following claims.

I claim: y

1. A tool for reclaiming drilling equipment and debris from well borescomprising a rotary reclaiming frame, retaining means upon said frame, asecond retaining means upon the frame above the rst mentioned retainingmeans, means for directing a stream of iiuid in the vicinity of thelowermost retaining means to prevent the retention of drill parts anddebris therein, means for selectively shutting off said ow action, andother means for directing ow action `of iiuid from a point below thelowermost retaining means upwardly for lifting drill parts and debrisinto both of the retaining means.

2. In a tool for capturing broken drill parts and debris from a wellmeans for selectively shutting oi the flow of through the lower andintermediate retaining means.

3. In a tool for bailing out of a well bore well drilling parts anddebris from the bottom of the well bore comprising a rotary supportingframe wardly into said baskets to prevent the settlement of washed-upparts thereinto, means to selectively shut off the flow of fluid throughthe said baskets, and means above said baskets for reclaiming parts anddebris washed upwardly to a level above said baskets.

6. A rotary tool for capturing broken drill parts and other junk from awell bore comprising a tubular body portion having a reduced extensiondepending therefrom at one side of the axis of the well bore to providea space the width of which is sufficient to permit the passage upwardlytherethrough of drill parts and junk to be reclaimed from a well bore,holding means in the tubular portion above said reduced portion forreceiving drill parts and junk washed upwardly into the tubular bodyportion, a collapsible upwardly opening basket structure carried by thereduced portion extending into said space, fluid directing means fordirecting a flow of washing fluid for raising debris from the well boreupwardly past said basket and into the holding means first mentioned, asecond fluid directing means'upon the housing for directing flow offluid upwardly through the basket to prevent the lodgement of drillparts and debris therein, and means for selectively shutting off thesecond flow means to permit the lodgement of drill parts and debris insaid basket.

7. A tool for capturing broken drill parts and other debris from thebottom of a well bore comprising a housing structure including an uppertubular body portion and an elongated depending segmental portion at oneside thereof having a chamber therein opening into the compartment ofthe tubular body portion, the lateral edges of the segmental portionbeing spaced from the outer adjacent surfacing of the well bore adistance sunieient to permit the passage upwardly through said space ofwell drill parts and debris to be reclaimed from the well bore,retaining means in the compartment of the tubular body portion abovesaid segmental portion for receiving and holding drill parts and debris,a collapsible basket carried by said depending segment extendinglaterally into the space aforesaid below the reclaiming means anddefining a pocket opening upwardly and facing said retaining means,means in the housing defining a fluid flow passageway therealong, anozzle at the bottom of said passageway for directing a jet of fluidinto the well bore below said collapsible basket for the lifting of welldrill parts and debris upwardly past said basket, means for directing asecond flow of fluid to a location below the basket, a nozzle for thesecond means for directing the flow of fluid therefrom in a jet streamupwardly through the pocket of said basket to prevent the lodgment insaid backet of drill parts and debris, and control means for shuttingoff flow of fluid through the basket so as to permit the lodgment ofdrill parts and debris in said basket.

8. A tool for capturing broken drill parts and other debris from thebottom of a well bore comprising a housing structure including an uppertubular body portion and an elongated depending segmental portion at oneside thereof having a chamber therein opening into the compartment ofthe tubular body portion, the lateral edges of the segmental portionbeing spaced from the outer adjacent surfacing of the well bore adistance sufficient to permit the passage upwardly through said space ofWell drill parts and debris, a collapsible basket carried by saiddepending segment extending laterally into the space aforesaid belowthe' retaining means and defining a pocket opening upwardly and facingsaid retain'- ing means, means inthe housing defining a nuid flowpassageway therealong, a nozzle at the bottom of said passageway fordirecting a jet of iiuid into the well bore below said collapsiblebasket for the lifting of well drill parts and debris upwardly past saidbasket, means for di recting a second ow of fluid to a location belowthe basket, a nozzle for the second means for directing the flow offluid therefrom in a jet stream upwardly through the pocket of saidbasket to prevent the lodgement in said basket of drill parts anddebris, and control means for shutting olf the ow of fluid through thebasket so as to permit the lodgement of drill parts and debris in saidbasket, and a second collapsible basket similar to the first mentionedbasket located below the first mentioned basket upon said segmentalportion of the housing, and means for selectively directing a jet streamof fluid upwardly through said second basket to prevent the lodgement ofdrill parts and debris therein.

9. In a tool for capturing broken drilling parts and other debris fromthe bottom of a well bore the combination of a rotatable housingstructure including an upper tubular body portion provided with achamber therein and an elongated depending segmental laterally reducedportion connected with the upper tubular body portion, said elongatedportion having a compartment therein communicating with the chamber ofthe tubular portion and having a lateral opening extending thrusubstantially the length thereof at the reduced side thereof, debrisretaining means in the chamber of the upper tubular portion, a laterallycollapsible basket of rubber-like material carried by the dependingportion and extending laterally thru said opening into the space facingsaid opening, and means carried by said housing structure for projectinga jet of debris lifting fluid into a well bore below said basket for thelifting of drilling parts and debris upwardly along said basket to apoint above the basket and into the basket and into the retaining meansof said tubular porion.

10. In a tool for capturing broken drilling parts and other debris fromthe bottom of a well bore the combination of a rotatable housingstructure including an upper tubular body portion provided with achamber therein and an elongated depending segmental laterally reducedportion connected with the upper tubular body portion, said elongatedportion having a compartment therein communicating with the chamber ofthe tubular portion and having a lateral opening extending thrusubstantially the length thereof at the reduced side thereof, debrisretaining means in the chamber of the upper tubular portion. saidhousing structure having a passageway therealong for the passage of afluid from the upper portion of the housing structure, a nozzle means atthe lower end of the depending portion for the passage of said fluidtherefrom into the well bore below said basket, means upon the housingstructure for passing a second portion of fluid from the housingstructure above said reclaiming means of the tubular portion along saidhousing structure and into the bottom of said basket for the lifting ofdebris from said basket and forcing it upwardly into the reclaimingmeans of the tubular portion, and means for shutting of the flow offluid thru the last mentioned means without disturbing the flow of fluidthru the first mentioned fluid passageway.

11. In a tool for capturing and reclaiming broken drilling parts andother debris from the bottom of a well bore the combination of arotatable housing structure including an upper cylinsageway therethroughof a size capable of receiving therein the usual broken and lost welldrilling parts and debris to be fished out of a well bore and anelongated segmental shaped portion connected to and extending from thecylindrical 10 body portion located substantially entirely at one sideof the longitudinal axis of said housing structure, said segmentalportion having a chamber therein open at its top to the passageway ofthe cylindrical portion and also opened laterally to 15 any well bore inwhich it may be used at the chord side of the segment, a plurality ofcollapsible baskets mounted upon and at the open side of said segmentalportion, each basket having a chamber opened upwardly, Sad baskets being20 luilgegrzz extended into the space beyond the chord side 2181187 ofthe segmental portion below the cylindrical 2525954 body portion withthe openings of said extended 2556849 portions directly facing thepassageway of the tubular portion, the portions of said basketsz whichproject into said space being collapsible to permit the free upwardmovement of parts to be reclaimed past said baskets, and means insaiddrical shaped body portion provided with a pas- 5 housing structurefor directing a stream of lifting uid into the well bore below saidbaskets for the lifting of parts and debris to be reclaimed upwardlypast and into said baskets.

12. A tool for capturing broken drilling parts and other debris as denedin claim 11 wherein a flexible retaining means for reclaimable parts anddebris is provided in the passageway of the upper tubular portion forthe upward passage therethrough of parts and debris to be reclaimed.

SETI-I R. KNAPP.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NameDate Notley Aug. 15, 1939 Jennings Nov. 28, 1939 Schabarum Oct. 17, 1950Nolley et al June 12, 1951

